4th of July Firework Safety Tips

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The 4th of July is full of fun traditions like parades, cookouts, baseball, and most importantly, fireworks!

While fireworks can be an exciting highlight of your family’s 4th of July, they can also be dangerous if not used properly.  The safest way to enjoy fireworks as part of your holiday celebration is to leave them to the professionals. Check out your local paper or your city’s Facebook page to find a professional display near you!

If you are enjoying fireworks at home, there are precautions you can take to reduce the hazards associated with fireworks. The most common injury caused by improper use of fireworks is a burn.

Follow these tips to avoid burns and help your family stay safe this 4th of July:

• This should go without saying, but only use fireworks outdoors! Stay away from other people, houses, trees and dry grass. Never shoot fireworks from your garage.
• Keep a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher close by as a precaution.
• Only light one device at a time and back away quickly; do not allow children to light fireworks or help an adult light fireworks.  They may be fun, but fireworks are not toys.
• Younger children should never handle fireworks and older children should only use them under close adult supervision.
• Keep everyone several feet away from lit fireworks. If a firework doesn’t go off, don’t stand over it to investigate! Put it out with the bucket of water and dispose of it.

 In 2017, there were 1,200 injuries associated with sparklers, 800 injuries associated with firecrackers, 400 injuries associated with roman candles and 300 injuries associated with bottle rockets (Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2018). While these four fireworks can be exciting to use, keep in mind that they are not toys. Instead of allowing younger children to play with these, consider a fun alternative like glow sticks or confetti poppers! Never allow older kids to point roman candles or bottle rockets at each other.

Safe Kids Georgia wishes you and your family a safe and fun filled Fourth of July!

Remember: the easiest way to stay safe and have fun on the Fourth of July is to let professionals handle the firework displays.

This post was prepared by Safe Kids Georgia Intern, Bridgette Fox.